JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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The effectiveness of Buprofezin (40% SC) and Pyriproxifen (10% EC) on the mortality of nymphal stages and fecundity of cottony cushion scale was investigated under glasshouse conditions. The LC₅₀ of IGRs was also determined for the first nymphal stage. Two applications were conducted at intervals of 1 day prior to introduction of crawlers and 42 days after infestation. The results indicated that Buprofezin was superior to Pyriproxifen in suppressing the growth and development of crawlers. The mortality of first instars was determined 28 days after the first application. Although the total mortality of second instars due to Pyriproxifen was higher than that by Buprofezin, but the cummulative mortality of 1000 ppm treatment was estimated to be 100% in both experiments after 42 days. The effect of Buprofezin on incomplete molting of nymphs and its ovicidal activity showed a decreasing rate in third instar nymphs survival and fecundity of cottony cushion scale in relation to different concentrations of the IGRs, but it never reached 100%. Meanwhile the 1000 ppm concentration of Pyriproxifen in the same treatments brought about complete mortality to third instar nymphs and inhibited adult and egg formation due to imbalanced juvenile hormone activity. However in 1 ppm concentration of Pyriproxifen, a noticeable increase in fecundity of cottony cushion scale was observed.

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Effect of different sources of fat on performance of broiler chicks was studied. Three hundred and thirty six chicks were divided into 42 groups of 8 chicks per group. Seven isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets, mainly based on corn and soybean meal were prepared and fed. These treatments were as follows: corn + soybean meal + (5% tallow, 5% cotton seed crude oil, 5% cotton seed soapstock, 2.5% tallow + 2.5% crude oil, 2.5% tallow + 2.5% soapstock, or 2.5% crude oil + 2.5% soapstock). One control diet without any source of fat was also included. Results showed that average feed intake of diets with different sources of fat up to 56 days old, was not differed from control group. Different sources of fat and their combinations increased weight gain and improved feed conversion. But soapstock had no effect on performance. Added fats increased abdominal fat of chickens. Therefore, if is concluded that on the contrary to soapstock, tallow and crude oil enhanced performance of broiler chickens.

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The efficiency of singular and joint usage of third larval instars of ladybeetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) was studied against cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover on cucumber plants in greenhouse.

The predator-prey ratio of 1:30 reduced the population of pest significantly. Singular and joint usage of predators, however, was not significantly different. The predator-prey ratio of 1:90 reduced the population of host significantly but the treatment with larvae of both predators and the treatment with only ladybeetle larvae were not significantly different. However, only the treatment with lacewing larvae was significantly different from the two above-mentioned treatments.

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To increase mechanized cotton planting in areas with saline irrigation water and crust forming soil in Isfahan Province, assessment of seeders in flatland planting method with or without crust breaking is essential. An experiment was conducted at the Kabootarabad Research Station of Isfahan Research Center to compare the performance parameters of planting equipment in a clay loam soil. Four planting equipment treatments using Bazrsazan and John Deere planters and Nordsten drill along with three crust breaking methods, including rolling cultivator, rolling-type crust breaker and no crust breaking, were laid out in a factorial experiment within a randomized complete block design with three replications. Planters’ performance was evaluated by measuring the number of plants and plant spacings in each treatment, and estimation of the mean and standard deviation, multiples index, miss index, quality of feed index, precision, and hill-dropping index. Although the plant spacings, and not the seed spacings, were measured in this experiment, the indices used in this research showed the planters’ performance to be very satisfactory. The suggested hill-dropping index showed the multiple seeds dropping characteristics of the seeders to be better than those of the multiples index regardless of the crust breaking methods. In the non-crust breaking method, the multiple seeds dropping tendency of Bazrsazan planter brought about a reduction in the mean and standard deviation of plant spacings. Crost breaking caused a reduction in plant spacings for all seeders, especially for the drill whose multiple seeds dropping tendency was negligible. The results indicated that the seed metering systems in Bazrsazan and John Deere planters were volumetric rather than single seed metering devices.

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This experiment was conducted to study the effects of using cotton-seed meal on the performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens at different ages. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates for each treatment. The experimental treatments included the levels of 0, 3.5, 7, and 10.5% of cotton-seed meal in diets fed to chickens at 7-21 days of age. Except for the control group, these levels for grower (21-42 d of age) was increased to 7, 14, and 21% and for finisher (42-56 d of age) to 14, 21, and 21%, respectively. For the purposes of this study, 260 day-old chicks were reared in litter until 7 days of age. On day 7, chicks were divided into 20 pens with 13 chicks in each pen. NRC (1994) recommendation was used in balancing experimental diets. The chickens were weighed weekly throughout the experimental period (7-56 d). The main observations were body gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Physical analysis of carcass was done at the end of the experimental period and percentages of carcass, abdominal fat, liver, pancreas and digestive tract to live body weight were calculated. The use of cotton-seed meal and the increase of the levels through different ages had no significant effects on body weight, daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and carcass components. Increasing the level of cotton-seed meal in the diet at 7-21 days of age had significant effects on feed intake (P<0.05) and increased it. The results of this experiment indicate that we can use cotton-seed meal at levels of 7,14, and 21% of diets, respectively, in starter, grower and finisher stages without having any adverse effects on the performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens.

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Optimizing regeneration of cotton plant in two variety (Sahel and Varamin) via shoot apex was done in order to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. In this reaserch shoot apexes of two varieties were isolated from four or five day seedling and were placed on a special medium of shooting (modified MS without hormon).In order to select the best rooting media, The Statistical Analysis explants that produce shoot and leaves in a CRBD with 4 replicates and 4 rooting treatments: 1) modified MS without hormon, 2) ½ MS with 0.1 mg/lit IBA, 3) ½ MS with 0.1 mg/lit NAA, 4) ½ MS with 0.1 mg/lit IAA. The statistical analysis indicated that the best for both varieties, was medium with 0.1 mg/lit IBA and rooting percentage of Varamin is better than sahel in all of media.

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In order to find the high-yielding and adaptable cultivars in different environments, eight cotton genotypes including two early maturity hybrids were studied and compared with the Varamin cultivar as control in a randomized complete block design with four replications in six regions in 1997 and 1998. Using Barttlet test, some of the environments were eliminated from statistical analysis. Therefore, combined analysis of variance and other statistical calculations were carried out based on environment (Year×Location) on the assumption that environment was randomized and cultivars remained constant during the entire study. In combined analysis of variance, genotypic effect (in yield) was significant at 1% probability level. Combined analysis of variance also showed significant differences for the main effect of environment and genotype×environment intreaction at 1% probability level. To select the best genotype with a high and stable yield, parametric statistics of stability including type 1 stability (S²_i,CV_i), type II stability (b_i,σ_i², w²_i), type III stability (Sd²_i) as well as non-parametric statistics such as mean of genotypic rank (R), standard deviation of rank (SDR), and simultaneous selection of parametric and nonparametric statistics for yield and stability (Ys_i) were calculated. Overall, considering the important agronomic and technological characteristics of genotypes such as yield, earliness, span length, fiber strength, percentage of uniformity, and micronariae index, the hybrid Coker×Bulgar was selected as high-yielding and stable cultivar to be substituted for Varamin cultivar across the planting area.

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To compare the relative value of the fish meal and the cottonseed meal in highly fermentable diets (40% forage and 60% concentrate with), eight cows were assigned randomly to diets with 0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 percent of the fish meal. In the first experiment, the degradability of dry matter and crude protein of the fish meal, the cottonseed meal and concentrate in diets was estimated with different incubation times (0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h) with fistulated Ghezel sheep fed at maintenance level. The effective degradability of dry matter and the crude protein of fish meal was significantly lower than cottonseed meal (p<0.05). In different concentrates, there was no significant difference in effective degradability of dry matter but with the increase of fish meal the effective degradability of crude protein decreased significantly. In the second experiment, the eight multiparous Holstein cows with the similar milk production (25.37 ± 0.85) were examined in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with the 21-day period. There were no significant differences between the treatments in digestibility of OM, OM and CP, the dry matter intake, 3.2 % FCM, milk fat (%), milk lactose (%), milk total solid (%), and the yield of the milk fat, feed efficiency and body weights. Diets containing fish meal, compared to the control group, significantly higher milk production, milk protein (%), the yield of milk protein and lactose (p < 0.1), but the different levels of fish meal had no significant effect on these factors. The urea pH decreased significantly with the increase of the fish meal but rumen pH and fecal pH were unaffected. The results of the experiment indicated that diets with the 1.5 or 3% fish meal in cows with less than 30 kg milk is recommended.

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Evaluating different aspects of government policy in terms of their indirect and welfare effects has been always of interest. In this study, the effects of gauranteed purchasing policy on land under cultivation and yields of cotton, potatoes and onions were investigated in Fars province. For this purpose, a Nerlove model was applied to time series data of 1972-02 after testing their stationary to estimate the cultivated lands and yields functions of these products. The use of protection rates as explantory varrables is one of the interesting characteristic of such a model. Although the results were not similar for all the products, the indication is that the policy has not had significant influence on the land areas and yields of cotton, potatoes and onions. However, taking into account that the policy has been recentely commenced in Fars, and that the policy takes time to become effective, the policy may result in different outcomes in the long run.

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Malmquist index computed by data envelopment analysis approach was used to estimate the total factor productivity (TFP) growth in cotton production in Iran during 1983-2001. By dividing this index in the two components, technological change and technical efficiency change, two major factors of productivity growth in cotton production were analyzed. Data was obtained from production cost system and other statistical sources provided by ministry of Jahad-e-Agriculture. Results indicated that TFP growth in cotton crop was positive (0.8% per annum) for the period of this study .This figure was different in different provinces of Iran. Maximum growth rate was 6.2% in Fars province and was negative in Kerman, Mazanderan and Golestan provinces. In comparison, technical efficiency growth was more than technological change during 1983-2001.

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Various effects of methanolic extract of neem seed kernel on larvae of cotton boll worm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied and compared with those of Neem Azal T/S and Neem Plus, two commercial formulations. The pest was collected from Gorgan (Golestan Province, Iran) and reared on a bean based artificial diet. The neem seed was collected from Bandar-Abbas (Hormozgan Province) and extracted in laboratory. Growth inhibitory and antifeedant assays were carried out on larvae treated with seed kernel extracts in 3 concentrations,1, 2.5 and 5%, under choice and no-choice conditions. The neem extract had a significant antifeedancy effects on larvae. Neem Plus and 5% extract had the least and most antifeedancy effects, respectively. The most and least feeding rates belonged to Neem Plus and Neem Azal treatments, respectively, which differed significantly (P<0.05). Feeding deterrence index (FDI) was highest in 5% extract which also differed significantly from Neem Plus treatment. Larvae treated with extract led to malformation and prevented formation of pupa and ultimately caused death. The LT50 values with confidence limit (CL) of 95% were 3.84 and 4.13 d, for Neem Azal and 5% extract respectively. DC50 and EC50 of extract were 4.73% and 2.73% at similar CL, respectively.

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To assess adaptability and stability of seed cotton yield in promising cotton genotypes, eight cultivars of cotton (Gukorova, Nazeli–84, Khordad, No: 200, Crema, Tabladila, Beli Izovar and Sepid), along with two controls (Sahel and Varamin), were studied in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with four replications in six regions of Golestan and Mazandaran provinces in two successive years (2005 & 2006). Combined analysis of variance was done and means comparison of yield was conducted based on Duncan's multiple range test. Sepid, Beli Izovar, Varamin and Khordad varieties were superior for yield, earliness, boll weight and boll number, respectively. The result of combined variance analysis showed that, there are significant differences between genotypes and genotype × environment (G.E) interaction effect. Because of significant G.E interaction effect univariete stability parametric and non-parametric stability methods were used to determine genotype stability. The results of varied methods were different. The 43200 and Sepid cotton cultivars had a specific adaptation and were suitable cultivar for fertile lands in north of country, because of good reaction to production high yield. In contrast, Sahel cultivar with lowest yield had broad stability with non-fertile regions. Overall, three genotypes (Khordad, Tabladila and Gukorova) were determined with suitable stability and moderate yield (general stability) for most locations in north of country.

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The contamination of soils with lead is a major environmental problem throughout the world. Phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils has the prospect of being a more economic in situ alternative. Chemically enhanced phytoextraction has been proposed as an effective approach to remove heavy metals from contaminated soil through the use of high biomass plants. Using a pot experiment, the effects of the application of three rates of EDTA at 0, 1.5 and 3 mmol/kg soil and sulfuric acid at 0, 0.5 and 1 mmol/kg soil with two rates of Pb at 0 and 200 mmol.kg-1 on the uptake of Pb by corn (Zea mays L. single cross 704 var.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. ajili var.), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. varamin var.) plants were studied. The results showed that EDTA was more effective than sulfuric acid in increasing the concentration of Pb in shoots and roots for all plants studied. The maximum amount with application of EDTA to soil for shoots of corn, sunflower, and cotton were 4.07, 6.49 and 31.33 times higher than the control, respectively. EDTA also enhanced Pb content of roots of corn, sunflower, and cotton 3.38, 1.63 and 1.09 times higher than the control, respectively. DTPA-Pb was higher in soil treated with EDTA than sulfuric acid. The application of EDTA also significantly increased shoot-to-root ratio of Pb in plants examined. The results of this study showed that corn was able to phytoextract more Pb than sunflower and cotton.

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Application of the modern irrigation systems such as T-Tape irrigation system is one of the ways to achieve aptimal irrigation The present study deals with the effect of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems on the cotton yield For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted in the Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Institute of Orzoueyeh, located in the Kerman province. The experiments were conducted in a split plot design based on the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were comprised of three levels of the crop water requirements (i.e. irrigation based on 100, 80 and 60 percent of crop water requirement) in main plot and with the two irrigation systems, surface one and subsurface one. The results showed that the yield resulting from treatments with 60 and 80 percent crop water requirement was respectively 981 and 413 kg/ha lower than that of treatment with 100 percent crop water requirement. In addition, the obtained yield due to subsurface system was 248 kg/ha greater than that of the surface pattern. The interaction of treatments on the yield of the crop also indicates that the treatment with subsurface system and 100 percent crop water requirement produces the maximum yield. Despite equal water consumption in each sub plots, the WUE in subsurface system was 14 percent higher than that of surface system. From the economical point of view, benefit to cost ratio in the subsurface system is 8 percent less than surface system. Considering the results obtained in this study in the light of water saving as the main objective in deficit irrigation and water use efficiency (WUE) for cotton cultivation in Orzoueyeh, the 80% of crop water requirement is preferred

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